Is it possible to treat without drugs only by the power of thought? Scientists give a positive answer to this question, and the effect itself is called a placebo.
A placebo is a pharmacologically inert action or inactive substance that is administered to a patient. It is presented to him as an effective remedy, with a statement that this will improve his health, relieve him of the disease. And the substance does not actually affect the state of health, however, it can cause positive effects. This is a popular form of therapy known as one of the alternative treatments.
Placebo also includes surgery and other procedures such as stimulation with an electromagnetic field. Even the very stay in the hospital or the use of medical equipment by specialists in the presence of the patient can have a therapeutic effect, relying only on the power of suggestion.
Placebo vs Nocebo
A placebo effect is referred to when a pharmacologically inert action produces beneficial effects, i.e. the patient is given pacifiers. However, this type of treatment can also be associated with negative effects on the patient. Then it is said about the nocebo effect, i.e. reverse action. For example, if a person expects to pick up some kind of infection in the clinic, then he will definitely get sick. In this case, the disease can be exclusively psychosomatic in nature, and not be caused by any virus or bacterium.
It turns out that most often the effect of nocebo is associated with an allergy to penicillin contained in the injected substances with an inert effect. Placebo is primarily a psychological effect, in fact, self-hypnosis, but at the same time it gives vivid physiological effects. You can see the direct action of psychosomatics.
Placebo is associated with meeting needs and expectations. By taking the medicine, a person gains confidence that its components will respond to his needs, for example, relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and heal a tumor. The power of suggestion can be so strong that the drug causes a positive reaction in the body. The pain really becomes less, and the tumor resolves on its own.
Interestingly, the color of the substance administered in the form of tablets is of great importance in this case. Experiments show that white or pink tablets give the best results in cardiovascular diseases. And for anxiety disorders, green and blue pills are best. Size also matters. It turns out that the average tablet size works most effectively.
Interestingly, the placebo and nocebo effects are found far beyond medicine. For example, belief in omens. If a person believes that meeting a black cat is in trouble, he himself will attract them with his nervous state or behavior. And vice versa, coming up with a positive omen for himself, he becomes more confident, not afraid to start business in which he feels uncertainty and even fear. Affirmations work the same way. Knowing the power of self-hypnosis, you can introduce new habits and behaviors, as well as help yourself with treatment.
